OSOGBO, OSUN STATE — Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has intensified efforts to promote peace and reconciliation following the recently concluded governorship election, reaching out to some of his predecessors and other key political leaders in the state.

Adeleke made the move on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State, using the celebration to engage former Governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, on the need for greater political understanding and unity in the state.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

According to the statement, Adeleke held discussions with Akande and briefed him on the various reconciliation initiatives being undertaken by his administration following the governorship election.

The governor appealed for the restoration of elite interaction, political dialogue and consensus, particularly in the aftermath of the election and the violence and divisions recorded during the pre-election period.

Adeleke told Akande that all political leaders in Osun had a responsibility to support efforts aimed at healing the wounds created by the election and bringing together residents who had become divided along political lines.

Adeleke Speaks With Oyinlola, Aregbesola

The governor also reached out to former Osun Governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola.

During the conversations, Adeleke congratulated the former governors on the 35th anniversary of the state and acknowledged their contributions to the development of Osun.

He also used the opportunity to explain his desire to reconcile the various political tendencies in the state and create a more peaceful political environment.

The governor said his reconciliation efforts were not limited to members of his own political camp, stressing that his objective was to bring together political groups across Osun.

Oyetola, Oyebamiji Yet To Respond

Adeleke also attempted to contact former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the immediate past APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, by telephone.

However, according to the statement, neither Oyetola nor Oyebamiji had responded to the calls as of the time of the report.

The development comes days after Adeleke emerged victorious in the August 15 governorship election, in which he defeated Oyebamiji.

The governor has subsequently been stressing the need to move beyond the election and focus on governance and reconciliation.

‘There Is No Victor, No Vanquished’

Explaining the purpose of his outreach, Adeleke said the 35th anniversary provided an appropriate opportunity to engage leaders from different political backgrounds.

He said:

“We are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the creation of our dear state. So, it is customary that I felicitate with leaders from various groups. I commended them for their contributions to state developments.

“Then, my central message is to preach and act for peace and reconciliation. I repeated my earlier statement that there is no victor, no vanquished. Election has come and gone and it is time for us to return to governance and healing of electoral wounds.”

Adeleke also said he was responding to what he described as a request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for him to champion peacebuilding and reconciliation in Osun.

“I am conscious of the request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I should champion peace building and state reconciliation. That is my preoccupation as reflected in my state address and that is my appeal to my predecessors and even my fellow contestants in the last guber election,” he said.

‘We Must Unite Our People’

The governor maintained that political differences should not prevent Osun residents from benefiting from democratic governance.

He said political leaders must work together to create an atmosphere conducive to development, peace and good governance.

“We must unite our people and prepare an enabling environment for them to enjoy the dividends of democracy and continuous delivery of good governance.

“I will not stop in my peace drive to sustain development. This is a sacred task I am passionately committed to.”

The governor’s latest outreach signals a renewed effort to reduce post-election tensions, rebuild political relationships and promote unity among Osun’s political elite after a closely contested election marked by significant pre-election political tensions.